Queensland's hopes of hosting the Sheffield Shield final may have been dashed after a horror top-order batting displaying on the opening day of the match against Western Australia at the Gabba.

Needing an outright victory and a Victorian defeat against Tasmania at the MCG in order to host the decider, the Bulls did not help their cause by slumping to a disastrous 5 for 62 at stumps in reply to the Warriors' 286.

Paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile did the damage for the last-placed visitors, snaring a devastating 3 for 1 off five overs with the scalps of Ryan Broad (17), Craig Philipson (30) and Chris Lynn (4) in the space of four overs.

Queensland's hopes of rescuing victory now rests on the shoulders of captain Chris Simpson and wicketkeeper Chris Hartley, yet to open their accounts.

Hartley earlier took six catches including struggling Test all-rounder Marcus North for 8, although the Warriors could have perished for far less had the Bulls not grassed four chances.

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